Apparatus for blowing sand lined molds



July 6, 1954 B. w. woRTHlNG-roN 2,682,690

APPARATUS FOR BLOWING SAND LINED MOL-DS July 6, 1954 B. w. WOR'THINGTON APPARATUS FOR BLowING SAND LINED Moms -1o sheets-sheet 2 Filed June 5, 195C www1 WA4, ai?

July 5, 1954 B. w. woR'rl-HNGTON 2,682,690

APPARATUS FOR BLowING SAND LINED Moms Filed June 5, 1950 l0 Sheets-Sheet 3 July 6 1954 B. w. woRTl-HNGTON 2,682,690

APPARATUS FOR BLOWING SAND LINED MOLDS Filed June 5, 1950 l0 Sheets-Sheet 4 IN V EN TOR.

10 Sheets-Sheet 5 B. W. WORTHIN GTON APPARATUS FOR BLOWING SAND LINED MOLDS July 6, 1954 Filed June 5 1950 July 6, 1954 B. w. woRTHlNGToN 2,682,690

APPARATUS FOR BLowING SAND LINE@ Moms Filed June 5,' 195o v1o sheets-sheet e T. 1ER- Mfnmm July 6, 1954 B. w. woRTHlNG'roN APPARATUS FOR BLowING SAND LINE@ Moms 1`o sheets-sheet 7 Filed June 5, 1950 MIMEVJ miv...

July 6, 1954 B. w. WORTHINGTON 2,682,690

APPARATUS FOR BLowING SAND LINED Moms Filed June 5, 1950 l0 Sheets-Sheet 8 '3 n n I a2 A 37 TITEL.. A

AAM-wwf g MfAzL/m July 6, 1954 B. w. woTHlNGToN 2,682,690

APPARATUS FOR BLOWING SAND LINED MOLDS Filed June- 5, 1950 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 O 0 0 OQ D 0 Q B DO -OOOQOQ gooooo o o 5 dooonoo o oboe INVENTOR. Z'QQZe W/ori h5/Zon,

July 6, 1954 a, w. woRTHlNGToN APPARATUS FOR BLowING SAND LINED MOLDS 1o shee's-sheet 1o Filed June 5, 1950 INVENTOR. Elway@ W hfori z'zyion,

Patented July 6, 1,954

VUNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,682,690 APPARATUS fron BLOWING SAND LINED MOLDS Biddle Wilkinson Worthington, Birmingham, Ala., assigner Ito McWane `Cast Iron Pipe Co., Birmingham, Ala., a corporation of Delaware Application June 5, 1950, Serial No. 166,117

7 Claims. 1 l

The invention rrelates generally to the art of centri'fu'gally casting pipe, and it primarily seeks to provide a nov-el yapparat-us 'for rforming sand lined molds in which to cast pipe in the manner stated. l

Methods of centrifugally casting pipe 'are well known 'and widely practiced at the 'prsent time, most of such casting being carried-out in ysoecalled permanent molds formed 'of metal, and some being carried out in sand lined moids. The methods of 'casting pipe in permanent molds have been eminently successful, and yet are/subject to improvement because of the initial and replacement costs of the inolds and because of other limitations not the least of which `is the necessity -o stripping the cast products endws from the molds 'and the resultant inability to cast products having radial projections which would interfere Awith such stripping. The broad idea of casting pipe ce'ntrifugally in sand lined molds gives great promise of improvement "by way of cost reduction, because of 'the possibility of forming the sand linings in flasks subject to repeated use with sand lining replacement for each casting, and theV possibility .of forming sand linings in which pipe having non-circular portions or radial projections and which can Vbe stripped readily by knocking out of the 'sand linings can be cast. However, all attempts 'to make the Ycasting lof pipe in sand lined molds commercially feasible `or" which I am aware have been unsuccessful because of cost or impracticability. It is a purpose of the present invention to provide a novel apparatus for orining .sand lined molds in 'which to centrifugallyfcast pipe.

In some methods of forming" sand lined molds the .placement and shaping of 'the sand lining in the molds has been effected during rapid rotation of the flasks; and in at least one said method it has been proposed to place Vthe `sand in the flask with the latter in a vertical position, and then to bring the ask into a horizontal position for the nal shaping of the lining. Naturally, in the practicing of methods requiring spinning of 'the flasks, there is much wastage of time and eiiort in the spinning of the flask and in starting and stopping the same. Also, in the changing of position of `flasks from vertical 'to horizontal, and vice versa, much labor and handling `apparatus necessarily are employed which could be dispensed with 'by elimination of the need for changing the position vof the flask. Moreover, in methods in which the asks are rotated, the final shaping of the sand linings is effected by pressing a shaping pattern or mandrel against the rotating sand lining. This practice is impractical because it provides mold linings the molten metal contacting surfaces of which necessarily are surfaces of rotation, and it is impossible to cast in such linings pipe havingr any nonecircular outward projections. It must -be apparent also that in methods involving rotation of the flasks and pressure shaping of the internal surfaces of the linings serious problem-s are presented in casting pipe of uniform thicknesses throughout the length thereof because of Adeflection of the pressure applying cr shaping devices, and the-se problems become increasingly diiicult as the length of pipe to be cast increases. It is a purpose of the present invention to provide a novel Iapparatus for forming sand lined molds in which pipe may be centrifugally cast without encountering the problems referred to hereinabove and many other lesser problems pre- 'sented in known practices but not specifically mentioned herein.

its more detailed nature the novel apparatus `comprises a hollow cylindrical liask, means for supporting the fiask in generally horizontal position, pattern means generally cylindriform in shape and of a diameter for being spaced inwardly of and coaxially with relation to the inner wall of the flask to 'cooperate therewith in vforming an annular elongated sand lining receiving and shaping chamber, means for bringing about relative longitudinal movement between the flask and pattern means to place the pattern means in the annular chamber forming position or for removing it from lsaid position, means Vfor forming a closure at one end of said shaping chamber, means for holding a mass of sand opposite the other end of the chamber, means for directing air under pressure into the mass or sand to aerate the same and force sand into the shaping chamber, means for directing the air blown sand into said chamber endwise through said other end simultaneously about the whole circle of the chamber while holding the flask and pattern means stationary, and means for permitting air to escape from the shaping chamber while retaining sand therein so as to ll thevchamber with uniformly packed sand.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character stated in which the means for permitting the air to escape from the shaping chamber comprises escape orifices arranged circumferentially about and extending through lthe wall lof the flask throughout the length thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character stated wherein the orifices adjacent the end of the liask into 3 which the air is directed are iess restricted than those provided throughout the main body of the flask.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character stated in which the means for directing air under pressure into the mass of sand comprises a cylindrical duct aligned with the pattern means and of no substantially larger diameter surrounded by the sand mass in a sealed chamber and having therein orifices opening outwardly into the sand mass about the whole circumference of the duct, and valve controlled means for directing air under pressure into the duct.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character stated in which the means for directing air blown sand into the shaping chamber includes a ring having orifices therein spaced about the whole circle of the chamber and through which the air blown sand passes into said chamber, the orifices preferably being arranged in a novel manner for allowing a greater amount of sand to enter through the top half of the ring than through the bottom half, thereby to compensate for gravity action which might otherwise tend to cause a packing of the sand to a greater degree in the lower half of the chamber than in the upper half.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character stated in which the means for directing air under pressure into the mass of sand also includes a plurality of perforated pipes extending uprightly in the sand containing sealed chamber from the cylindrical duct, and the pipes and their perforations being arranged in a novel manner for preventing short circuiting of the air directly into the shaping chamber.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character stated in which the pattern means comprises at least one longitudinally movable generally cylindrical member, and wherein there is included a trackway, a head supporting the pattern member and slidable on the trackway, fluid pressure means for moving the head, and means for adjusting the position of the head on the trackway to accurately align the pattern member with relation to the flask.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the character stated wherein there is included a second pattern member axially aligned with the head supported member and which is supported by a sand box in which the sealed chamber holding the mass of sand is formed, said box being movable over the trackway by fluid pressure operated means.

With the above and other objects in view thaJ will hereinafter appear, the nature of the invention will be more clearly understood by reference to the following detailed description, the appended claims and the several views illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: p

Figure l is a somewhat diagrammatic plan view illustrating the invention, the patterns being illustrated as inserted in the ask ready for a sand blowing operation.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the diagrammatically illustrated apparatus of Figure 1, the patterns being shown retracted from the iiask.

Figures 3 and 3a together comprise a side elevation of the apparatus, parts being broken away and in secion, the patterns being shown in- 4 serted in the flask, and the side opposite the side illustrated in Figure 2 being shown.

Figure 4 is an enlarged central vertical longitudinal section taken through the sand box. Figure 5 is a horizontal section taken on the line 5 5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is an enlarged detail vertical cross section taken on the line 6 6 on Figure 4.

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail vertical cross section taken through the oriiice ring and illustrating one of the orices through which the sand is blown into the shaping chamber.

Figure 8 is an enlarged central vertical longitudinal section through the shiftable head by which one of the pattern members is supported.

Figure 9 is a vertical cross section taken on the line 9-9 on Figure 8.

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical cross section taken on the line Ill-I0 on Figure 3a.

Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical longitudinal section of the plugged end extremity of the pattern member carried by and shiftable with the sand box.

Figure 12 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical longitudinal section illustrating the portion of the sand box carried pattern member provided with the thread enlargement and non-circular face providing shaping ring, the section being taken on the line lit-i2 on Figure 13.

Figure 13 is a vertical cross section taken on the line I3-l3 on Figure 12.

Figure 14 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical longitudinal section through that portion of the head carried pattern member on which the bell and non-circular surface shaping sleeve is mounted, the section being taken on the line lll-i4 on Figure 15.

Figure 15 is a vertical cross section taken on the line I5--I5 on Figure 14.

Figure 16 is an enlargedside elevation of the flask, the side illustrated in Figure 2 being shown, and parts being broken away and in section.

Figure 17 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical cross section taken on the line I'l-ll on Figure 16.

Figure 18 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical cross section taken on the line I8-l8 on Figure 16.

Figure 19 is an enlarged detail plan view of one of the slotted screen plugs with which the orifices adjacent the sand receiving end of the iiask are equipped.

Figure 20 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal section illustrating an end of the flask modified to include a bell enlargement.

Figure 21 is a fragmentary vertical cross section taken on the line 2I-2I on Figure 5 and illustrating the means for adjusting the sand box supporting base on the trackways for accurately lining up the respective pattern member.

Figure 22 is a View similar to Figure 4 illustrating a modied form of sand box.

Figure 23 is a horizontal section taken on the line 23-23 on Figure 22.

Figure 24 is a detail face View of the quick opening plate valve illustrated in Figures 22 and 23.

' Figure 25 is an enlarged horizontal longitudinal section illustrating a ask with a sand lining therein formed in accordance with the invention, and a pipe cast in the mold thus formed; parts being broken away.

Figure 26 is a side elevation illustrating the i: U pipe casting shown in Figure 25, lparts being broken away. y

In the example of embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, there is included a frame structure comprising a base whereon is fixed an I-beam like supporting trackway vl, the same being secured as at l on said base. vSee Figures 3, 3a, 9 and 10. The trackway includes an intermediate floor web 8 and may also be equipped with cross web reinforcements 9 .and corner web reinforcements I0. At least near the ends thereof, the trackway is provided at its upper edges with inwardly turned track enlargements II.

It will be apparent by reference to Figures 1, 2, 3, 3a and 10 that transverse support rails I2 are provided, the same extending Aacross the tracks II in parallel spaced relation and being secured as at I3 on the sides of the beam 6. 'Iransverse lifter bars I4 also are provided and extend across the tracks II Vin parallel spaced relation. The Vbars 14 are link connected at I5 at one side to brackets I6 secured to the 'trackway uprights, and similar brackets `I' are provided at the other side of the Vtracks/.ay -beam and serve to support a rocker shaft I8 in the manner best illustrated in Figure 1G. Crank links I9 secured to the shaft I3 are pivotally-connected as at 2l) Vto the bars M, and the shaft I B also has a crank extension 2l to which an actuator lever 22 is attached. It will be apparent that the links I5 and cranks I9 form a sort of parallel link arrangement, and that when the lever 22 is swung outwardly and downwardly from the position illustrated in Figure rlil, said links and cranks will serve to lift the bars 'I4 from `the position illustrated in Figure in which they rest upon the tracks Il, upwardly and toward the right away from said tracks. The purpose of this lifting movement of the `bars t4 will become apparent-as this description progresses.

The parallel rails i2 provide rollways `on which to receive and support cylindrical 'fiasks to be described hereinafter, and said liasks are received on the rails I2 from rails 23 extending to one side of the trackway, or upwardly as viewed in Figure l, and flasks are adapted to be rolled from the rails I2 onto receiving rails 24 extending away from the traekway at the opposite side, or downwardly -as viewed in Figure 1.

Two cross plates 25 are secured to the floor web E as indicated at 2B, and a pair 'of brackets 2l is laterally adjustably secured as at 2B on each said plate. See AFigures 3, 3a and l0. Each bracket -21 rotatably supports a roller 29 at its upper end extremity and is backed up by an adjuster screw 3Q threaded through the respective upright of the track 6.

`One yof the flasks in which a molding surface or `lining of sand is lto be formed in Aaccordance with the invention is illustrated in the drawings and is generally designated 3|. See Figures 3, 3a, 6, 9, 16 and 17 and it will be noted that such iiasks are equipped with longitudinally spaced supporting rings 32. The rings preferably are so placed as to be engageable with rails 12, 23 Aand 24 in the manner illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 for maintaining the desired position of the asks endwise of the apparatus. Each flask provides an inner sand liner receiving Wall 33 and is equipped with a flared counterbore 34 at each end in which to receive Aa lclosure plate, said counterbores also being equipped with a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures 3d in which to receive knock-out `pins effective to 6. secure yend closure rings removably mountable the sand lined Yflasks or molds incidental to the casting-of pipe therein.

It will be apparent by reference to Figure 1-6 of the drawings that each flask is equipped with radially outwardly Adirected orifices extending about the whole circumference and throughout the whole length thereof. The orifices preferably lare-arranged lin 'four sets, one set designated 36 being larranged adjacent the end of the iiask in which the sand is introduced, and being larger than the other orices. The second set of -orifices, designated 3l, extends from the end of 'the orifice set 3l -a considerable distance in advance of the first of thesupport rings 32, throughout the extent of said ring `and a short distance beyond the ring. The third set of orifices, designated 38, extends from the end of the set 31 throughout lthe remainder of the distance between the support rings 32,` through the length of the second of the support rings l32, and throughout the remainder of the length of the iiask except for a limited distance adjacent the end extremity remote from the end yinto which the -sand is to be introduced. The fourth setof orifices, designated '39,- extends throughout the limited remaining length of ythe flask between the terminus of the orice set 38 and the -adjacent end extremity Vof the iiask.

The purpose of the orifices extending radially outwardly through the wal-l Vof each flask is to permit egress of air while preventing egress of sand. It has been found that this purpose is best accomplished, and the provision of flask f linings of uniform density throughout is bestassured by providing orifices or air escape openings of maximum size adjacent the end of the flask into which the sand is introduced, then to provide an orifice arrangement of slightly lesser air escape capacity throughout a limited portion of the length of the flask in which said least restricted passages are provided, then Ito provide the major length or main body portion of the flask with orifices of a capacity for 4permitting even lesser freedom of air escape, and then to provide adjacent the extremiia/v of the flask yremote from the end into which the sand is introduced an arrangement of orifices less restrictive in their air escape capacity than those provided throughout the main length ofthe flask. This is the arrangement illustrated in Figure 16, and it is to be understood that'various modications of the particular arrangement of 'the orilices are possible within the general purpose of the invention as stated.

One arrangement of orifices found practical involved the provision of the apertures of the first set, designated 35, five-eighths inch in diameter with a screen plug il@ such as is illustrated in Figures 18 and le inserted in each thereof and having screening slots of approximately .013" therein. All of the other orices have small inlet portions 4l at their inner ends and larger outlet portions or bores 42 at their outer or discharge ends so as to minimize the possibility of clogging, and the 'orifices of the set designated 3l and the set designated 39 may be more closely spaced than the orices `of the set designated 33 and have an inlet diameter of one-eighth inch as compared to the greater inlet diameter of three-sixteenths of an inch of the apertures of the set designated 3S.

' Circumferentially spaced, longitudinally extending grooves 43 are provided in the external surface ofveach flask beneath and extending beaesacoo 7 yond the ends of the support rings 32 thereof in the manner clearly illustrated in Figures 16 and 17, and these grooves are effective to clear the air emitted beneath the rings so as to assure that the rings will not obstruct the desired escaping of air at the positions of the rings.

It is to be understood that while the main form of the flask is illustrated as cylindrical and with a cylindrical bore 33 therein, should it be desired to cast pipe or other generally cylindriform objects in a flask having projectionsbeyond the inside diameter indicated at 33, said asks may be provided with bell or other enlargements to suit the need as indicated at 44 in Figure 20.

By reference to Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings it will be observed that a sand box 45 is provided which is supported on a base 46 slidable over the tracks il, at the right hand end thereof as viewed in Figure 2 or at the left hand end as viewed in Figure 3. The base 46 includes depending sides 41 for extending down below the top or supporting surfaces of the rail in the manner clearly illustrated in Figures 3 and 9, and said base is provided at the undersurface at each corner thereof with a brass shoe receiving recess 48, a similar recess 49 being provided at each corner in the respective side flanges 41. A brass shoe 50 is mounted in each said recess and is backed up by a threadably mounted adjuster screw i. It will be apparent that by adjusting the several screws 5l the position of the base 46 on the supporting rails I I can be accurately adjusted, for a purpose later to be described, and the adjustment of the several screws can be secured by lock nuts 52.

The sand box 45 is provided with axially aligned openings 53 adjacent the bottom thereof, and associated with each opening 53 is a counterbored seat 54. A closure ring 55 is received in one of the counterbores 54, and in the other counterbore is mounted an orifice ring 56 equipped with equidistantly or approximately equidistantly spaced orices 51. While the orifices may be variously formed, the preferred form and arrangement is best illustrated in Figures 6 and '7 of the drawings. Eight such orifices are shown, and it will be apparent that those in the upper half of the ring are larger than the orifices arranged in the lower half. An example of an acceptable preferred arrangement is the provision of a top central orice seven-eighths inch in diameter flanked by an orice at each side having a diameter of thirteensixteenths of an inch. The remainder of the orices in this example arrangement may be three-fourths inch in diameter. The orices also preferably are ared as at 58. The purpose in providing larger orifices about the upper half of the orice ring 56 is to compensate for the action of gravity during the blowing of the compressedair-borne sand into the shaping chamber formed within the fiask 3|. The effect of this arrangement is to tend to overcome the action of gravity on the blown sand and assure the provision of a uniformly packed lining within the iiask.

A tubular pattern member 59 is supported by the rings 55 and 56 in the manner clearly illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 5 of the drawings, and it Will be apparent by reference to Figures 3 and ll that the member '59 is equipped with a reduced diameter male extension 65 at its free end extremity, said extension being closed or plugged as at 6|. Attention also is directed to Figures l2 and 13 of the drawings from which it will be apparent that a pattern ring 62 is sweated on the pattern member, and the enlargement thus provided, or equivalent enlargement otherwise formed on the pattern member, is shaped to provide a non-circular shaping surface 63. The enlargement provides a cylindrical portion and a non-circular portion, the cylindrical portion serving to provide an abutment disposed to engage a tapered abutment ring which in turn engages the orifice ring 56 in the manner illustrated in Figures 4, 5 and 12, and said cylindrical portion of the pattern ring 62 also serves to provide an enlargement on the end of the cast pipe which can be externally threaded in the manner clearlyillustrated in Figure 26, and the non-circular portion will serve to provide a non-circular projection on the cast pipe for receiving a Wrench.

The end extremity of the pattern member remote from the closed end 6 I is externally threaded as at 64 to receive a nut 65, and it will be apparent by reference to Figures 4 and 5 that by tightening the nut 65 on the threaded end 64 of the pattern member 59. the pattern member, and the rings 55 and 56 can be held in rigid assembly on the supporting sand box 45.

A supply duct 66 is secured by the nut 65 in communication with the open end of the pattern member 59, and the duct is equipped with a solenoid valve 67 and is connected by a flexible air supply line 68 with a suitable source of compressed air (not shown). It will be apparent that the pattern member '59 forms a cylindrical hollow within the sand box 45 and in general alignment with the portion of the pattern member which extends into the ask in the manner illustrated in Figures 3, 4 and 5, and the hollow forming portion of the pattern member is provided with orifices 69 through which air will be directed outwardly into the sand mass in the box 45 Whenever the valve 6T is opened. A desirable arrangement is to place the orifices 69 spirally about the pattern member 59 within the sand box 45. In this manner each orince will lie in an individual plane and objectionable weakening of the pattern member will be avoided. The sand box 45 is provided with a top extension 1U, and a cone hopper ll is attached to and extends upwardly from the box portion 10. A ring gasket 'l2 is provided in the constricted upper portion of the extension 'l0 and is engageable by a cone valve 13 which is vertically reciprocable, or in other words movable between a lowered, opened position and the hopper sealed position illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 by a piston plunger operable in a fluid pressure cylinder 14.

Attention is directed to Figures 4 and 5 from which it will be apparent that the sides of the pattern member 59 within the sand box 45 are provided with four apertures in which to receive unions 15. The unions nearest the center of the sand box are larger than the other two and serve as supports for a pair of uprightly disposed, parallel spaced stand pipes '16. 'I'he other unions serve as supports for a pair of uprightly disposed parallel spaced stand pipes il. It will be noted that the four stand pipes are perforated so as to direct air from the interior of the pattern member 59 outwardly into the mass of sand in the sand box 45. It is preferred that the stand pipes 16 adjacent the center of the sand box be larger than the remaining stand pipes 1l, or in other words the stand pipes most remote from the orice ring 56. An example of an acceptable sizing of the stand pipes is to utilize one inch piping in the stand pipes 'I6 and three-fourths inch piping in the stand pipes 1l. It was found that with this particular arrangement of stand pipes the desired aeration of the sand within the box 45 is obtained with very little, if any, danger of the air short circuiting directly through the orifices I51.

Attention is directed to Figures 2,3a, 8 and 9 of the drawings from which it will be apparent that a head I8 supported on a base 19 is mounted on and slidable along the trackways II, the base, like the previously described rvbase of the sand box, being provided with depending sides 80 for extending downwardly at opposite sides of the trackways. Like the previously described base, the base 19 also is provided at each corner with adjuster devices generally designated 8| by which accurate adjustments of the position of the base can be made to accurately center the pattern member supported by the head with relation to the ask supports and the sand box carried pattern member 5.9. 'I'he head 'I8 is provided with a pattern mounting longitudinal bore 82 in which to -receive the pattern member 83, the latter being threaded at its outer end as at 84 to receive the securing nut 85. At its inner or free end, the pattern member 83 is equipped with a female socket 86 in which to receive the previously described male extension 60 on the cooperating pattern member 59. The pattern member 83 also` is equipped with an abutment collar 81 receivable in a recess 88 provided in the bell pattern sleeve 89 which is mounted on the pattern member in the manner illustrated in Figures 8 and 12 and which includes a noncircular shaping portion 90. The pattern sleeve is secured as at 9| to the abutment and orice ring 92, the latter having a reduced shoulder 93 receivable in a counterbore recess formed in the adjacent end of the head 18. It will be noted by reference to Figures 3a and 8 that the depth of the counterbore 94 and the length of the ring shoulder 93- are such as to` cause the-main body of the ring to be spaced a distance from the adjacent endextremity of. the head 18. This spaced portion of the ring 92 is equipped with equidistantly spacedair. escape orifices 95 which are clearlyl illustrated in Figures 8, 9 and 14 and which: serve to'allow air to escape. through.r the end' closure of the shaping chamber whileretaining the blown sand therein. Y Y

- A fluid pressure cylinder 96 isy centered under the head 18, being secured as at. 91 tov the: floor L,

web E: of the track beams. A piston'plunge'r 98 reciprocable in the cylinder is attached as at 99 to a4 bracket |00 depending from the head base 19 and it will'fbev apparent that by properly directing pressure fluid into and from the cylinder it is possible to shift the head 18' and the pattern memberl B3 supported thereby back and forth between the position illustrated in Figures 1 and 3 of the drawings in which itis projected into the flask in axial alignment with the ask and the cooperating pattern member 59` and the retracted position illustrated in Figure 2.

A fluid pressure cylinder IOI, is similarly positioned under the sand box 45 in the manner clearly illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 ofY the drawings, being secured as at |02 on the oor web 8 of the track beam 6. 'The piston plunger |03 reciprocable in the cylinder I0'I is attached as at |04 to a bracket |05 depending from the base 46 of the sand box 45. It will be apparentY that by properly directing pressure uid into and discharging the same from the cylinder II|I;, the

base 46, the sand box 45 and the pattern member 59 supported therebycan be shifted back and forth between theeifective position illusdirectly through the orice ring H5.

trated in Figure 1 and the retracted position illustrated in Figure 2.

It is preferred that the shifting of the cooperating pattern members 59 and 83 between the effective Figure l position and the retracted Figure 2 position shall be simultaneously accomplished in each direction. This can be accomplished by passing the ow and return lines |06 connected with the opposite ends of the cylinders 96 and 0| through four-way solenoid valves diagrammatically indicated at |01 to individual pumps (not shown), The solenoid valves |01 may be connected in series in a control circuit I08 and controlled by a remote switch |09. In like manner a control circuit controlled by a remote control switch I I0 placed near the switch |09 may be utilized for controlling the solenoid 'valve 61 through which air under pressure is directed into the duct 66, pattern member 59 and stand pipes 11, 16 into the sand box 45 sealed by the valve 13.

In Figures 22 and 24 there is illustrated a modified form of sand box including an outer shell III mounted on a track supported, shiftable base Il2. As in the case of the previously described sand box, the shell I is provided with aligned openings I|3 through which a pattern member I I4 extends. The pattern member is secured as at H5 and extends through an orifice ring I I6 through which the sand blown from the box is directed into the shaping chamber within the flask. The sand box is provided with a hopper extension. I I1 'through which sand may be fed into the box through a vertically reciprocable cone valve II8 as in the previously described form.

A shell or jacket ||9 is spaced inwardly from the outer shell III so as to provide an annular space about the inner shell and within the outer shell III, and said inner shell is also. spaced from the bottom of the outer shell as at I 20. The shell ||9 is perforated as at |2I about its sides and also in its bottom so that air directed under pressure into-the space surrounding the inner shell II9 through the inlet' |22 under control of the solenoid operated valve |23 will be directed radially inwardly through the side wall apertures I2 I, and also upwardly through the bottom apertures [2| into the sand mass within the inner shell and surrounding the portion of the pattern |I4 which extends through said shell.

It isfpreferred that the oriiices |2| in theinner shell I' I9 be so placed that a greater number thereof will be provided' in the upright half of theshell which is remote from the orifice ring I6, and also that about twice as many oriiices be placed in the lower half of the shell as in the upper half. The purpose of this arrangement of apertures is to prevent short circuiting of air The particular manner of arranging the orifices 2i herein. stressed will tend to maintain a level of sand within the shell H9 and avoid the inclining of the top portion ofthe sand down toward theA outlet at theV orice ring with resultant short circuiting of air.

If'desired, a quick opening valve may be provided so that the air under pressure and the sand carried thereby Will not be directed through the oriiice ring H5 into the shaping chamberwithin the flask until the desired pressure of aii1 has accumulated Within the sand box. One manner of accomplishing this is by provision oi' a valve ring |24 mounted on a center hub of the orifice ring I I6 and equipped with orifices |25 .spaced similarly to those in the orifice plate so that by oscillation of the plate valve |24 through the medium of an actuating handle |26 the orifices |25 can be brought into registry with the orifice plate orifices to direct air-borne sand into the shaping chamber, or to close off communication between said cooperating oriilces so as to retain the sand and air pressure within the sand box shells and Ils. A valve |21 may also be provided for venting the sand box after each sand blowing Voperation and before the valve ||8 is to be opened to introduce sand into the box.

In the practical development of the invention tion, the flasks 3| are rolled one after another along the supporting rails 23 into position on the supporting rollers 29 as shown in Figures 3, 3a and 10. It is to be assumed that the spacing of the rollers and the adjusting devices 5| and 8| on the sand box and head pieces will have been accurately adjusted so as to place the pattern members 53 and 83 so as to accurately meet in the manner illustrated at the right in Figure 3 in perfect axial alignment and centered within the inner wall 33 of a flask with the end closure rings 55 and 92 engaging in centering relation in the respective ends of the flask when the bases 46 and 19 are shifted from the retracted position illustrated in Figure 2 to the effective or sand blowing position illustrated in Figure 1.

With a flask positioned in the supporting crotch provided between the pairs of rollers 29 in the manner illustrated in Figures 3 and 10, the operator manipulates the remote control switch |69 so as to properly adjust the valves |81 to bring about a shifting of the bases 46 and 19 from the retracted position illustrated in Figure 2 to the effective or sand blowing position illustrated in Figure 1. Itis to be assumed that the sand box 45 has been supplied with sand through the control valve 13 and that said control valve has been lifted to the box sealing position illustrated in Figure 4.

By now actuating the remote control switch ||IJ to openthe lvalve 61, air may be directed through the pipe 68 Yand duct 65 into the pattern member 59 and outwardly through the orifices 69 in the pattern member 'and the orifices in the stand pipes 16 and 11 into the Vsand box 45 and the mass of sand therein surrounding said pattern member. It is preferred that the air be directed into the sand box at approximately 125 pounds pressure. The air under high pressure in the sand box will serve to aerate the mass of sand, and sand will be blown through f the ring orifices 51 into the shaping chamber surrounding the cooperating, axially aligned patterns 59 and 83 within the centered flask 3|. It will be apparent that the sand enters through the plate orifices in individual streams which merge so that the introduction of the sand is simultaneously about the Whole circle of the shaping chamber, and by reason of the particular arrangement and sizing of the orifices 51 the action of gravity on the sand will have no objectionable eect in providing uneven distribution of the sand about the pattern members and within the Shaping chambers. The air will be permitted to escape outwardly through the apertures in the flask 3| and the end closure ring 92 but the sand will be retained therein to provide a uniformly compact lining. It is to be understood that proper molding sand is used with which a suitable binder has been mixed so that the shaped molding surface in the same will be retained when the pattern members are withdrawn so as to provide satisfactorily hard molding surfaces against which to pour molten metal and against which the pipe can be centrifugally cast.

After the blowing of the sand in the manner stated the operator again manipulates the remote control switch |09 to actuate the solenoid valves |01 in a manner for reversing the direction of the pressure fluid into and from the cylinders 9E and |0| so as to effect a shifting of the bases 18 and 46 from the effective position illustrated in Figure 1 to the pattern member retracted positions illustrated in Figure 2. It will be noted that in this condition of the parts the flask 3| is entirely free of the pattern members. By now manipulating the lever 22 the crank arms |9 and rings |5 can be made to lift and shift laterally the support bars ||4 so as to lift the sand lined flask from the supporting rollers 29 and present the same for being rolled away over the supporting rails l2 and 24. This operation having been completed the supply of sand in the box 45 will be replenished through the valve 13, air being permitted to escape from the box before any attempt is made to open the valve 13. It will be obvious that high pressure air within the box `45 will press the cone valve 13 tightly against the sealing gasket 12 and provide a sealed chamber for the sand within the box. The above described operations are repeated in the sand blowing or lining of other flasks.

The lined flasks may be rolled to another station at which the centrifugal casting of pipe therein can be effected. In order to accomplish this a closure ring |28 is applied to the flared counterbore 34 at one end of a flask 3| and retained therein by knock-out pins |29 in the manner clearly illustrated in Figure 25. The plate or ring |28 is provided with a central opening |33 through which the molten metal for the casting may be poured from a spout |3|.

A closure plate |32 is similarly mountedat the other end of the flask, and said plate is equipped with a central escape opening |33 surrounded by a hollow sleevev extension |34 whereon is mounted a removable sand core plug |35. With the flask thus prepared for a casting operation, the pouring of molten metal into the sand lined flask through the spout |3| during a proper spinning of the flask will result in the casting of a pipe |36 in the manner illustrated in Figure 25. When the casting surfacewithin the sand lined flask is formed in the manner previously described, the cast pipe will be equipped with a bell |31 at one end wherein will be included an inward extension or enlargement |38 suitable for having internal threads formed therein, and a non-circular portion |39 will be formed adjacent the bell so that a wrench may be applied during the threadable attachment of one section of pipe to another. At its other end the pipe also is provided with a non-circular, Wrench receiving portion |40 and a circular enlargement |4| which may be externally threaded as at v|42 in the manner clearly illustrated in Figure 26.

While one form of the invention has been shown for purposes of illustration, it is to be clearly understood that various changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In apparatus of the character described,

I3 horizontal trackways, two pairs of' cooperating brackets mounted for lateral adjustment as to spacing relative to each other and said trackways, each said bracket having' a roller thereon and'v each pair of rollers providing a flask supporting crotch, a cylindrical iiask supported in the crotches formed by said pairs of' rollers whereby movement off the rollers of' a pairv toward each other will lift the center of the ilask, move ment of the rollers apart will lower the flask center, and movement of both rollers inunison to one side or the other will move the ask center to one side or the other, a sand box slidable on the trackways at one end of the ask, ahead slidable on the trackways at the other end of the flask, pattern members projecting towardv each other from said box and head in axial alignment with each other and the liar-k axis', means for moving the box and head toward and from each other to place the pattern members it in end contact in the flask and to provide an annular sand liner receiving and shaping chamber surrounding the pattern members. within the flask, or to remove the pattern members from the ask, flask end closures carried by said box and head and engageable with the ends of the I-lask, the box carried closure having apertures spaced about its whole circumference for communication between the box and the interior of the flask, means for sealing the box, means for directing air under pressure into the box to force air and sand through said apertures into the nask about the pattern members, and means for permitting egress of air from the iiask while retaining the sand as a, uniformly compact mass therein.

2. In apparatus of the characterl described, a hollow cylindrical ask, means for supporting theA flask in generally horizontal position, pattern means generally cylindriform in shape and of a. diameter for being spaced inwardly of and coaxially with relation to the inner wall of the ask to cooperate therewith in forming an annular elongated sand lining receiving and shaping' chamber, means for bringing about relative longitudinal movement between said flask and pat-- tern means to place the pattern means in the anjnular chamber forming position or for removing it Vfrom said position, means for forming a closure at one end of said shaping chamber, means for holding a mass of sand opposite the other endV of said chamber, means; for directing air under pressure into the mass ofA sand to aerate the same and force sand into said shaping chamber, means for directing the air blown sand into said cham-` ber endwise through saidother end thereof simultaneously about the whole circle of the chamber while holding the flask and pattern means stationary, and means for permitting air to escape from the shaping chamber while retaining sand therein so as to ll the chamber with uniformly packed sand, said means for permitting the air to escape fromv the shaping chamber vcomprising escape orlces arranged circumferentially about and extending through the Wall of the iiask throughout the length thereof, said fiask also having a plurality of supporting bands extending thereabout for rolling contact With supporting devices, and longitudinal grooves spaced about the circumference thereof beneath and extending atA both ends beyond each said band and into which air escape orices open, thereby to avoid obstruction of air egress by saidbands.

3, In apparatus of the character described, a hollow cylindrical flask, means for supporting the ask in generally horizontal position, pattern 14 means generally cylindriform in shape andv of a diameter for being spaced inwardly of andv co,-v axially with relation to the inner wall of: the. flask to cooperate therewith in forming an annular elongated sand lining receiving and shaping' chamber, means for bringing about relative longitudinal movement between said flask and pattern means to place the pattern means in the annular chamber forming position or for removing it from said position, means for: forming a closure at one end of said shaping chamber, means for holding a mass of sand opposite the other end of said chamber, meansv for directing air under pressure into the mass of sand to aeratethe same and force sand into said shaping cham' ber, means for directing the air blown sand into said chamber endwise through said other end thereof simultaneously about the whole circle of the chamber while holding the flask and pat.-V tern means stationary, means for permitting air to escape from the shaping chamber while re'- taining sand therein so as to ll the chamber withV uniformly packed sand, said pattern means comprising atleast one pattern member movable endwise into and out of the flask, a trackway, a. head slidable on the trackway and having provision thereon for stationarily supporting the movable pattern member in coaxial relation to the ask, and fluid pressure operated means for moving the head back and forth over the trackway, means also being provided for adjusting the position of the head in the trackway so as to properly align the pattern member with the flask; 4. In apparatus of the character described, a hollow cylindrical ilask, means for supporting the flask in generally horizontal position, pattern means generally cylindriform in shape and of a diameter for being spaced inwardly of and coaxially with relation to the inner Wall of the fiask to cooperate therewith in forming an annular elongated sand lining receiving and shaping chamber, means for bringing about relative longitudinal movement between said ilask and patternY means to place the pattern means in the annular chamber forming position or for removing it from said position, means for forming a closure at one end of said shaping chamber, means forming a sealed chamber in which to hold a mass of sand opposite and outside, the other end of said shaping chamber, rigidly mounted stationary means for directing air under pressure into the mass of Vsand in said sealed chamber to aeratethe same and force sand into said shaping chamber, means for directing the air blown sand into said shaping chamber endwise through said other end thereof simultaneously about. the whole circle of the shaping chamber While holding the flask and pattern means stationary, means for permitting air to escape from the shaping chamber while retaining sand therein so as to iill the shaping chamber with uniformly packed sand, said pattern means comprising at least one pattern member which extends from and is supported by the sealed chamber forming means, a trackwayV whereon said, sealed chamber forming means isv slidablyv mounted, and fiuid pressure operated means for movi-ng the sealed chamber forming means' and said pattern member back and forth over the trackway, means also being included for engagement by the pattern member as it is movedv into position in the iiask for centering the free end of' said pattern member remote from the supporting sealing chamber forming means.

5. In apparatus of the character described, a

15 hollow cylindrical iiask, means for supporting the flask in generally horizontal position, pattern means generally cylindriform in shape and of a diameter for being spaced inwardly of and coaxially with relation to the inner wall of the ask to cooperate therewith in forming an annular elongated sand lining receiving and shaping chamber, means for bringing about relative longitudinal movement between said iiask and pattern means to place the pattern means in the annular chamber forming position or for removing it from said position, means for forming a closure at one end of said shaping chamber, means forming a sealed chamber in which to hold a mass of sand opposite and outside the other end of said shaping chamber, rigidly mounted stationary means for directing air under pressure into the mass of sand in said sealed chamber to aerate the same and force sand into said shaping chamber, means for directing the air blown sand into said shaping chamber endwise through said other end thereof simultaneously about the whole circle of the shaping chamber while holding the flask and pattern means stationary, means for permitting air to escape from the shaping chamber while retaining sand therein so as to ll the shaping chamber with uniformly packed sand, said pattern means comprising at least one pattern member which extends from and is supported by the sealed chamber forming means, a trackway whereon said sealed chamber forming means is slidably mounted, and fluid pressure operated means for moving the sealed chamber forming means and said pattern member back and forth over the trackway, the means for directing air under pressure into the mass of sand comprising a cylindrical duct constituting a continuation of the pattern member within the sealed chamber forming means and surrounded by the sand mass, said duct having therein air delivery oriiices opening outwardly into the sand mass about the whole circumference of the duct, the means for directing the air blown sand into the Shaping chamber comprising a chamber end closure plate surrounding the pattern member and having therein approximately equidistantly spaced openings arranged in a circle and communicating between the sealed chamber and the shaping chamber, and there being included also valve controlled means for supplying air under pressure to said duct.

6. In apparatus of the character described, a hollow cylindrical iiask, means for supporting the flask in generally horizontal position, pattern means generally cylindriforrn in shape and of a diameter for being spaced inwardly of and coaxially with relation to the inner wall of the ask to cooperate therewith in forming an annular elongated sand lining receiving and shaping chamber, means for bringing about relative longitudinal movement between said flask and pattern means to place the pattern means in the annular chamber forming position or for removing it from said position, means for forming a closure at one end of said shaping chamber, means forming a sealed chamber in which to hold a mass of sand opposite and outside the other end of said shaping chamber, rigidly mounted stationary means for directing air under pressure into the mass of sand in said sealed chamber to aerate the same and force sand into said shaping chamber, means for directing the air blown sand into said shaping chamber endwise through said other end thereof simultane- 16 i ously about the whole circle of the shaping chamber while holding the flask and pattern means stationary, means for permitting air to escape from the shaping chamber while retaining sand therein so as to ll the shaping chamber with uniformly packed sand, said pattern means comprising two axially aligned pattern members one extending from and supported by the sealed chamber forming means and the other extending from and supported by a head member, trackways whereon said sealed chamber forming means and head member are slidable, and iiuid pressure operated means for moving the sealed chamber forming means and said head member back and forth along said trackways to place the pattern members in and withdraw them from the flask, the means for directing air under pressure into the mass of sand comprising a cylindrical duct constituting a continuation of the pattern member within the sealed chamber forming means and surrounded by the sand mass, Said duct having therein air delivery orifices opening outwardly into the sand mass about the whole circumference of the duct, and means for directing the air blown sand into the shaping chamber comprising a shaping chamber end closure plate surrounding the pattern member and having therein approximately equidistantly spaced openings arranged in a circle and communicating between the sealed chamber and the shaping chamber, and there being included also valve controlled means for supplying air under pressure to said duct.

'7. ln apparatus of the character described, a hollow cylindrical flask, means for supporting the ask in generally horizontal position, pattern means generally cylindriform in shape and of a diameter for being spaced inwardly of and coaxially with relation to the inner wall of the ask to cooperate therewith in forming an annular elongated sand lining receiving and shaping chambeigmeans for bringing about relative longitudinal movement between said flask and pattern means to place the pattern means in the annular chamber forming position or for removing it from said position, means for forming a closure at one end of said shaping chamber, means forming a sealed chamber in which to hold a mass of sand opposite and outside the other end of said shaping chamber, rigidly mounted stationary means for directing air under pressure into the mass of sand in said sealed chamber to aerate the same and force sand into said shaping chamber, means for directing the air blown sand into said shaping chamber endwise through said other end thereof simultane- Ously about the whole circle of the shaping chamber while holding the flask and pattern means stationary, means for permitting air to escape from the shaping chamber while retaining sand therein so as to fill the shaping chamber with uniformly packed sand, said pattern means comprising two axially aligned pattern members one extending from and supported by the sealed chamber forming means and the other extending from and supported by a head member, trackways whereon said sealed chamber forming means and head member are slidable, and iiuid pressure operated means for simultaneously moving the sealed chamber forming means and the head member toward or from each other along the trackways to place the pattern members in the flask or withdraw them from the flask.

(References on following page) Number Name Date Carr Nov. 20, 1888 Beardsley Aug. 29, 1922 Wood Nov. 17, 1925 Moore Jan. 11, 1927 Moore et al Dec. 18, 1928 Goodlin July 5, 1932 Zeeman May 23, 1933 Stahn Aug. 22, 1933 Stahn Dec. 24, 1935 Lindbury July 21, 1936 Number Number 10 228,070 341,673 606,534 557,503

Name Date Billand Feb. 8, 1938 Y Jeery Apr. 5, 1938 Rienacker Nov. 25, 1941 Crawford Jan. 25, 1944 Hardy July 13, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Jan. 29, 1925 Great Britain Jan. 22, 1931 Great Britain Aug. 16, 1948 Germany Aug. 24, 1932 Germany L June 11, 1937 

